Barnum ZIP Codes — Webster County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Barnum, Iowa and it is 50518. Area code: 515.

ZIP codes

28.87

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

515

area code

Barnum, IA ZIP code map

About Barnum, IA

Barnum is a small, charming city located in Webster County, Iowa. Known for its tight-knit community, Barnum offers a quiet, rural lifestyle that appeals to those looking for a peaceful place to call home. With a single ZIP code of 50518, it maintains its quaint character while providing essential services for its residents.

Location & geography

Situated in the central part of Iowa, Barnum is surrounded by scenic landscapes typical of the Midwest. It is located approximately 5 miles northeast of Fort Dodge, which serves as a larger urban hub for the area, and is close to other towns such as Duncombe, Badger, and Gowrie. Covering a total land area of 28.87 square miles and having no water area, Barnum features flat terrain that is indicative of the region's agriculture-dominant landscape.

Community & economy

The community of Barnum is characterized by its friendly residents and a strong sense of belonging. This small city relies on local industries such as agriculture, which plays a significant role in the lives of its inhabitants. Daily life in Barnum often includes community events, family gatherings, and a slow-paced lifestyle that allows residents to enjoy the beauty of rural Iowa.

Transportation

Transportation in Barnum is primarily facilitated by local roads connecting to U.S. Highway 169, which facilitates access to nearby cities. The nearest significant airport is in Fort Dodge, which is approximately 10 miles away, providing essential air travel services. Public transportation options are limited in this small city, making personal vehicles the primary mode of travel for residents.

History

Barnum was established in the late 19th century, with its roots tied to agriculture that has continued to be a key industry in the area. Over the years, Barnum has preserved its small-town charm while supporting local businesses and cultivating a vibrant community spirit. Notable events in its history include annual celebrations that highlight the agricultural heritage of the region.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Barnum is that it gets its name from the famous showman P.T. Barnum, reflecting a whimsical aspect of the town's identity. Additionally, the city is profoundly influenced by its agricultural surroundings, contributing greatly to both its economy and culture.

ZIP codes for Barnum, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50518	Barnum	Webster	View map

Demographics & statistics

350

Population

27.4

Median age

$79,554

Median household income

$31,273

Per capita income

$138,800

Median home value

Median monthly rent

94.4%

Home ownership

6.9%

Poverty rate

2.9%

Unemployment

124

Housing units

7.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	138	39.4%
18 and over	212	60.6%
65 and over	21	6.0%
Median age	27.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.1%

Two or more races 2.9%

Group	Count	%
White	340	97.1%
Two or more races	10	2.9%

Household income

Under $10k 8.9%

$10k–$15k 1.6%

$15k–$25k 0.8%

$25k–$35k 2.4%

$35k–$50k 4.8%

$50k–$75k 12.1%

$75k–$100k 52.4%

$100k–$150k 6.5%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

$200k+ 6.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.9%
$10k–$15k	1.6%
$15k–$25k	0.8%
$25k–$35k	2.4%
$35k–$50k	4.8%
$50k–$75k	12.1%
$75k–$100k	52.4%
$100k–$150k	6.5%
$150k–$200k	4.0%
$200k+	6.5%
Median income	$79,554

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.5%

$50k–$100k 25.6%

$100k–$150k 27.4%

$150k–$200k 26.5%

$200k–$300k 8.5%

$300k–$500k 3.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$138,800
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	94.4%
Renter occupied	5.6%
Vacant	5.3%
Single-family detached	95.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.8%
Median rooms	7.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.91

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	16.0%
2000–2009	9.2%
1990–1999	22.1%
1980–1989	8.4%
1970–1979	14.5%
1960–1969	6.1%
1950–1959	6.1%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	17.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.3%
2 bedrooms	15.3%
3 bedrooms	35.9%
4 bedrooms	22.9%
5+ bedrooms	20.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.6%
1 vehicle	12.1%
2 vehicles	37.9%
3 or more	48.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	6.5%
Propane / LP gas	92.7%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	68	54.8%
Cohabiting couple	6	4.8%
Male householder, no spouse	33	26.6%
Female householder, no spouse	17	13.7%
Households with children under 18	73	58.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	13	10.5%
Average household size	2.82

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.8%	28.3%
Married	50.4%	60.6%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	2.2%	4.0%
Divorced	14.6%	7.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.0%

Some HS, no diploma 3.1%

HS graduate 32.5%

Some college, no degree 21.5%

Associate's degree 34.6%

Bachelor's degree 1.6%

Graduate / professional 5.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.8%
Bachelor's or higher	7.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	1	1.3%
Kindergarten	32	40.5%
Elementary school	23	29.1%
High school	20	25.3%
College / grad school	3	3.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 27.9%

Education & healthcare 23.6%

Agriculture & mining 22.4%

Other services 8.5%

Retail trade 4.2%

Wholesale trade 3.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.0%

Public administration 3.0%

Information 1.2%

Finance & real estate 1.2%

Professional & management 1.2%

Construction 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	16.4%
Service	24.8%
Sales & office	6.7%
Natural resources & construction	37.0%
Production & transportation	15.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	89.7%
Government	6.1%
Self-employed	4.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	89.1%
Carpool	6.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.1

Poverty

All people 6.9%

Under 18 years 3.6%

18 and over 9.0%

Married-couple families 1.5%

Female-led households 57.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	9.7%
Retirement income	8.9%
Supplemental Security	4.8%
Cash public assistance	4.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.9%
High cholesterol	32.6%
Heart disease	7.0%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	24.8%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	6.9%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.1%
No physical activity	23.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.9%
Fair or poor health	12.4%
Poor mental health	13.2%
Poor physical health	9.6%
No health insurance	9.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.4%
Visited dentist	67.4%
Cholesterol screening	89.1%
Teeth loss	12.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	5	2.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.6%
Under 18	1.4%
18–64 years	17.3%
65 and over	42.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	88.0%
Public insurance	17.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	317	90.6%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	350	100.0%
Born in same state	350	100.0%
Born in different state	300	85.7%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	81	23.1%
Italian	41	11.7%
Dutch	7	2%
Polish	6	1.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	4	1.1%
German	1	0.3%
English	1	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.4%
Internet access	97.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Barnum, IA have?

Barnum, IA has one ZIP code: 50518. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.